13 As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.  *

15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth.  *

3 My lips will glorify you

because your faithful love is better than life.  *

22 Because of the Lord’s faithful love  *

we do not perish,  *

for his mercies never end.

23 They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness!  *

15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child,

or lack compassion for the child of her womb?

Even if these forget,

yet I will not forget you.

16 Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands;  *

your walls are continually before me.

18 Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy,

and is rising up to show you compassion,  *

for the Lord is a just God.

All who wait patiently for him are happy.

18 Who is a God like you,  *

forgiving iniquity and passing over rebellion  *

for the remnant of his inheritance?  *

He does not hold on to his anger forever  *

because he delights in faithful love.  *

6 I will strengthen the house of Judah

and deliver the house of Joseph.  *

I will restore  *  them

because I have compassion on them,

and they will be

as though I had never rejected them.  *

For I am the Lord  their God,

and I will answer them.

9 "The Lord of Armies says this: ‘Make fair decisions.  * Show faithful love and compassion  * to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the resident alien or the poor,  * and do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’  *

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved,  * put on compassion, kindness,  * humility,  * gentleness,  * and patience,  *

32 And be kind  * and compassionate  * to one another, forgiving  * one another, just as God also forgave you  * in Christ.

8 Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another,  * and be compassionate  * and humble,  *

17 If anyone has this world’s goods  * and sees a fellow believer  * in need  * but withholds compassion  * from him — how does God’s love reside in him?  *

3 Blessed be  * the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies  * and the God of all comfort.  *4 He comforts us in all our affliction,  * so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are,  * yet without sin.  *

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice;  * weep with those who weep.

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice.  * Become mature, be encouraged,  * be of the same mind,  * be at peace,  * and the God of love  * and peace will be with you.